June 13, 2018
Local School Wellness Council News
Hello Wellness Teams,

Congratulations on your wellness efforts this year! You truly are "Wellness Champions! " Your teams have actively worked together to create healthier learning environments for our students and staff.

Your work has laid the foundation as Local School Wellness Councils. We have learned together during this process; encountered some hurdles, and most importantly you have successfully developed productive wellness councils in your schools. You never faltered in your desire and intent to support the enhancement of student wellness in your school!

You have prepared your schools to further strengthen your wellness teams and programs. Hopefully, your wellness team members will continue this work into year 2018-19; in any case, the foundation you have laid this year will sustain for years to come! Way to go!

Keep up the great work and have a great summer,

Gaby and Marla
Gaby Massie                                                                                             Marla Caplon
TCI Healthy Montgomery - School Wellness Coordinator                        MCPS- Director of Student Wellness Initiatives
  [email protected]                                                                     [email protected]
                                                                                                        
Sharing a few school highlights:

Captain James E. Daly E.S:  Daly has focused on implementing a comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) before, during and after school. Teachers incorporate movement and kinesthetic learning approaches into "core" subject instruction with a variety of equipment supplies, and resources. 
Fox Chapel E.S:  Speaker Teen Chopped Champion, Danielle McNerney presented a nutrition education training to students. 5TH graders were able to re-create and prepare their own healthy smoothie.  The MANNA Bus, Manny, visited Fox Chapel where  a nutrition education program with healthy food lessons for 3rd and 4th grade students took place. Students prepared and tasted their own food and took recipes home to share with their families. Teachers also regularly reinforce healthy eating habits.
Gaithersburg E.S: Recess and After-school movement clubs for Staff, students, and families such as Basketball, Soccer, running, fantastic Friday, and dance/zumba clubs after school. Clubs are led by teacher mentors, 5th grade student leaders and high school and middle school SSL hour students. After school clubs are offered at no cost to students and families. 
Piney Branch E.S: Resources were used to support and increase movement in the classroom. Staff was surveyed to gather their ideas for purchases in order to support active seating and brain breaks. Items include wiggle seats, stability balls, wobble stools, balance trainers, spot markers, foam balls, bean bags and fidgets.

Roscoe Nix E.S :   Focus on nutrition education programs and train the trainer workshops with University of Maryland Extension (FSNE).  Staff participated in wellness challenges throughout the year to encourage fitness and role modeling in the classroom. 

Dr. Sally K. Ride E.S : A mindfulness train-the-trainer teacher workshop was conducted. Teachers use resources to introduce mindfulness in daily classroom routines and share information with families. Mindfulness tools such as books, breathable balls, mindfulness jars, and mindfulness rooms are integrated as part of the program. 

South Lake E.S : Try it Tuesday! Promote healthy food and beverage choices in the cafeteria using Smarter Lunchroom Techniques and with the support of UMD Extension. Try it Tuesday promotes healthy eating and nutrition education to students.

Takoma Park E.S : Students and staff of Takoma Park ES participated in a Schoolwide Fun Fitness  Friday . The 45 minute assembly programs included dancing, fitness activities and wellness exercises, and were coordinated by the wellness team. Students and staff both enjoyed the opportunity to "get fit" and let loose. Staff and students also look forward to more Fun Fitness Fridays! Supplies and flexible seating that encourage movement in the classroom are part of the part of their goal to increase physical activity.

Washington Grove E.S : Water Access: A water bottle refill station will be installed to  promotehydration and make drinking water available to all students throughout the day and in the classroom. The wellness team is working with University of Maryland Extension to launch an educational water promotion  program.  
William B. Gibbs E.S : Gibbs's team has done great work on recruiting a diverse group of members that include staff, parents and community. The committee also became a Professional Learning Community (PLC). All their wellness goals are connected to their School Improvement Plan (SIP). The committee meets regularly throughout the school year to support the development and implementation of their wellness initiatives.   A Family Fitness Night was also designed to extend healthy messages from school to home and educate families about the importance of living an active and healthy lifestyle. 

Other Summer Wellness Ideas and Tips from Action For Healthy Kids (AFHK): 
  1. Got rainy weather? Or just want a quiet day activity? Keep the nutrition education going with these coloring sheets and activities.
  2. Running out of ideas for staying active? Check out these 50 "recess at home" ideas or try creating Family Activity Points.
  3. Combine arts and crafts time with healthy eating by doing food art.
  4. Start crossing items off this Summer Bucket List.
  5. Are all the neighborhood kids over? Or are you having a party? Learn how to build a backyard fitness circuit or set up a series of water games. 
A few parent and community engagement resources:
Parents for Healthy Schools. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November, 2015. Includes A Guide for Getting Parents Involved from K-12, PowerPoint presentations, idea sheets, and check-in questions to track progress. 

Local School Wellness Policy Outreach Toolkit. USDA, November, 2016. Includes customizable letters, flyers, presentations, newsletter articles and social media posts to engage parents, school staff and community volunteers into your school wellness efforts.

Beyond the Bake Sale Book - The Essential Guide to Family-School Partnerships Anne T. Henderson, Karen L. Mapp, Vivian R. Johnson, and Don Davies.

Have a wonderful, safe, restful, healthy summer!!!

Marla Caplon | Director, Student Wellness Initiatives,  MCPS  | [email protected]